SECAUCUS, NJ (Oct. 29, 2009) - New York Red Bulls defenders Andrew Boyens and Carlos Johnson were called up by their respective national teams for their final 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.Boyens will join the New Zealand National Team, which is on the brink of qualifying for its first FIFA World Cup since its only appearance in 1982. New Zealand will face Bahrain, after the two teams tied, 0-0, in Manama, Bahrain on Oct. 10 in the first leg of the two-leg aggregate goal series. New Zealand, which won the Oceania region, hosts Bahrain on Nov. 14 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Bahrain earned a spot in the playoff after defeating Saudi Arabia in a two-game series. Boyens has earned 12 caps for his country. He was on the bench in the first leg, but did not play. The 26-year-old started in 14 games for the Red Bulls in 2009.
Johnson was called up to the Costa Rican National Team for their two-leg aggregate goal playoff series against Uruguay to determine which of the two sides qualifies for the World Cup. The Costa Ricans, who finished fourth in the CONCACAF Hexagonal, will host Uruguay, the fifth-placed team in the CONMEBOL qualifying group, on Nov. 14 before the Ticos travel to Uruguay for the second leg on Nov. 18. Johnson has eight caps for Costa Rica. In his first year as a Red Bull since signing on March 19, 2009, Johnson appeared in 13 games and recorded one assist.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be played next summer in South Africa.
Full Season Ticket Plans for the New York Red Bulls' first season at the brand new Red Bull Arena, in Harrison, NJ, are on sale now. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
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